John Hartson on Celtic v Rangers Hampden showdowns

The Welshman notched the winning goal against the Light Blues in a third-round tie for Martin O'Neill's side back in 2005.

It capped a wonderful week for Hartson, who inked a new two-year deal for the men in green and white prior to putting their city rivals to the sword.

The 48-year-old revealed that the lesser-remembered strike of the 110 goals that he plundered for the Hoops still thrills him big time to this day.

"What was good about that goal against Rangers was that I signed a new contract,” Hartson told TCW. “I signed a new two-year extension to my deal and I had to prove that I was worth it and that I had recovered fully from my back injury.

"I did that as I scored a lot of goals but that winner in the cup tie against Rangers was most pleasing as Martin O'Neill and the club were delighted that I proved my fitness as I had missed a lot of the season.

"I signed the new contract and we went out in that match and I flicked the header on for Chris Sutton to score the opener and then I scored the winner from a Sutton set-up. I really enjoyed that goal because I anticipated where the ball would land. I peeled away from Marvin Andrews and then had to direct a left-foot shot from a tight angle beyond Stefan Klos.

"I had to get enough pace and purchase on the ball and when it bounced into the corner of the net I was so overjoyed. It capped a great week for me personally with the new contract, scoring the winner against Rangers and knocking them out of the Scottish Cup.

"Martin O'Neill had opted to go with both Chris and myself up front. He showed that he had faith in us both to play together in the position up top and score. He knew we could both be involved in scoring goals for Celtic. When Didier Agathe was going down the right wing – if you watch the highlights – it is Chris's cute touch that deflected the ball into my path and I supplied the finish for the winner.

READ MORE: Anatomy of a goal - John Hartson's Anfield strike on the road to Seville

"I had helped Chris score the opener in that game. We were both strikers in our prime at that time and we pulled off a magnificent result against a very good Rangers team on the day. That is why I celebrated the way I did after that goal as there were about 13 minutes left in the game and I knew it could be such a huge one for Celtic. It turned out to be the winner.

"It is not my best goal for the club by any stretch of the imagination – but it is one that gave me a lot of personal satisfaction whenever I look back at it."

That was the sweet, now for the bitter. Hartson's cherished memory of a winning goal against Rangers in a cup tie is somewhat overshadowed by two events that happened in the 2003 League Cup final at Hampden.

Henrik Larsson teed Hartson up for what he thought was a legitimate equaliser to tie the scores at 2-2 as Celtic came on strong. To the Welshman’s – and every Celtic supporter’s – chagrin the unbelievable happened as the linesman inexplicably flagged for offside. It wasn't even close.

Worse was to follow when the Hoops were given a last-gasp chance to equalise from the penalty spot and, despite sending Klos the wrong way, the ball agonisingly slid inches past the post.

Salvation did arrive just days later when Hartson scored his wonder goal at Anfield against Liverpool that saw Celtic advance to the UEFA Cup semi-finals.

"I actually scored two legitimate goals against Rangers that were ruled out for offside which have since been proven to be onside,” Hartson recalls. “One was at Ibrox but everybody always talks about the goal at Hampden in the League Cup final which was chalked off.

"It is not even close when Henrik Larsson has slipped me in. I stuck it past Klos and it’s two yards onside at least!

"As a centre forward you always have an idea of whether you have made the right run subconsciously in your brain. I knew straight away that I had timed my run to perfection and I couldn't believe the linesman had his flag up.

"It was only when I got back into the dressing room that all the boys told me that my goal was onside. I was like ‘you're fucking joking me!’ The linesman had his flag up even before I put the ball in the back of the net.

“People can make up their own minds as to my feelings on that one. I went on to miss a penalty with the final kick of the ball in that match but a few days later I scored that goal at Anfield which put Celtic into the UEFA Cup semi-final.”

The feeling is that if VAR was in operation back then Hartson would have been vindicated on both occasions and his derby goal tally would have been even higher as a result.

With Celtic and Rangers going at it again this Sunday at Hampden in the small matter of the Scottish Cup semi-final, Hartson reckons Ange Postecoglou's men might have the edge having triumphed 3-2 in their recent Scottish Premiership encounter at Parkhead as well as waltzing off with the League Cup trophy the last time two foes clashed at the national stadium in February.

The Australian’s side are chasing history as no club has side has ever reeled off eight domestic trebles. Hartson, though, is mindful that the 2021-22 league and League Cup double winners fell at the very same hurdle to the Light Blues last season after Carl Starfelt's own goal in extra time.

The popular TV pundit knows full well that history could well repeat itself if the Hoops don't bring their A-game to Mount Florida this time round.

"I always think that whoever turns up on the day will win,” Hartson said. “Personally I think Celtic have a better team and Rangers showed enough in the last game to show that it will be a gripping contest.

"Celtic were meant to be off-colour but they still scored three goals to win the match. When I was playing against Rangers the games were finely balanced. Rangers had the likes of Barry Ferguson, Lorenzo Amoruso, Ronald de Boer, Craig Moore, Peter Lovenkrands, Shota Arveadze and Klos. They had some top players. We had some great battles with them.

"This Rangers team is one who battles and gives everything but I think Celtic have a lot more quality and poise in their team. I just think right now Celtic are a much better team than Rangers. Does that mean that Celtic will win the semi-final? Absolutely not. That doesn't mean Celtic are going to win the game.

"The boys have to go and perform and they only know how to play one way. They will get the ball forward and use the wide areas and they will create an overload in the middle of the park and try to find that spare man at every opportunity. If Celtic can get a hold of the ball with the likes of Callum McGregor, Matt O'Riley and Reo Hatate – if he makes it – then it will be difficult for Rangers.

READ MORE: How Tiger Woods became Celtic bait and Martin O'Neill's stirring team talk - John Hartson Big Interview

"I am mindful of last season's Scottish Cup semi-final which Rangers won in extra time. They came on strong in that period with the likes of Calvin Bassey doing very well. He was charging forward late on in the game and Rangers seem to have more energy than Celtic despite their European exploits. They were the team that looked likely to get the winner that day and that is exactly what happened.

"Celtic have everything to play for though if they want to try and win that historic treble in Postecoglou's second season and that would be a fantastic achievement.

“But you also have Rangers who will want to win two Scottish Cups in a row – and this game represents their last chance of silverware for the season. They will be asking the question ‘can we stop Celtic from winning the treble?’

“It is a huge game for both sides for vastly different reasons. The two teams have a lot to play for.

"There is pressure on both to deliver on the day. I think Celtic will need to show that they have learned from the semi-final defeat last season. They are the league champions for a reason."

One man whom Hartson believes can be a match-winner again for the Hoops is Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi.

The lethal marksman has netted five goals in his last three Glasgow derbies including a brace in the 2-1 League Cup final success. He needs just one more strike to take his tally to the season in all competitions to the magical 30.

"I hope that Kyogo can have another great day for Celtic,” added Hartson, who helped the Hoops win three Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup. “In cup finals things have to go your way. You have to look at your strikers being on song and having a good day.

“Kyogo has proved in the last two League Cup finals that he is the man for the big occasion. The two goals against Hibs [in 2021] were of sublime quality and then his two goals against Rangers in this season's final when he showed his predatory instincts for both.

"He has looked really sharp of late and for that reason I fancy Celtic to win the semi-final. They have the better team and better players at this moment and it just about going out there and proving it and performing to a high level again.

“If they do that and the players play to their full potential then that should guarantee that Celtic win this match."